Stay Motivated

Advice and tips to help you out

Staying motivated in your distance learning course begins with selecting the right
course, knowing how to use the technology and conduct library research, communicating
well online, and managing your time. It's easier to stay motivated when you've set
yourself up for success.

These additional strategies can boost your motivation throughout the semester.

Use what you learn

Find ways to apply what you're learning in your online course to your work, your other
courses, or your personal interests. Not only will it make the content more interesting,
but you are more likely to have a deeper understanding of the material if you apply
it and you are more likely to remember it in the future.

Link your goals to your coursework

Write your goals down and post them in a prominent place -- in your workspace, on
your notebooks, or in an open file on your computer's desktop.

Link your long-term goals to your current distance learning courses. Being reminded
of your goals and how your course work helps you achieve them will help you maintain
your motivation throughout the semester.

Build a support system

Student-to-Student Tip

The support of your family/friends is huge! They need to understand that you're not
just "sitting around on your laptop." You have work to complete and they need to respect
your time.

--Rebecca Cavanaugh

Find people who will help you stay motivated throughout the semester, and let them
know that you might come to them for support.

Find a mentor, an experienced online learner, who can offer you advice and support.

Find a peer to study with, or form a study group. An obligation to another person
(such as discussing the weekly reading or reviewing each others' papers) can be very
motivating.

Stay connected with your professor

Your professor can be a source of motivation. Who knows better how the material that
you're learning relates to your long-term goals? Discuss your goals and interests
in the field with your professor and bring outside sources to your conversation (such
as professional publications that relate to course material). Share stories about
how what you're learning in class has helped you at work or given you additional insight
into material in other classes.